ChadMillerFishing.com

June 6 - Starvation Reservoir

This was my first day "fun" fishing for the season.  Dan Romney and myself arrived at the lake around 6:30 AM and found fish in both of the places I expected them to be early in the year.  We used green and orange Bleeder Chains to catch our fish.  Water temperature was still cold at 55 to 58 degrees.  We managed around 20 walleye keeping a few of the smaller fish for dinner.  The key to this time of year is going slow and being patient as the fish are still spread out. 

March 6 - Pine View Reservoir, Utah

Spent the morning on the ice with Brian Schiele, photographer and Holga Master, filming a couple of segments on ice fishing a new lake.  We found fish in our first location off of Cemetary Point and caught a few perch.  TIP  When searching for fish in an unfamiliar lake, look at the structure on the bank and how it relates to channels in the lake.  We chose a point running out to the main channel, fished in 20 to 30 feet of water, and found a school with hundreds of perch.  The Hippy's Bleeder Chain was like a dinner bell and attracted fish from all around once we put it down.

I'm often questioned about how I effectively search for fish through the ice.  Here are two brief videos that demonstrate how to fish an unfamiliar lake and how to use equipment to find the fish.

VIDEO CMF Ice Fishing a New Lake

VIDEO CMF Using a ShowDown Digital Fish Finder

January 16   - Starvation Reservoir, Utah

Fished Starvation Reservoir with Todd Hall and his friend, Jordan.  We started the morning at Rabbit Gulch and had one good hour of fishing before things slowed way down and then stopped.  During that hour, however, I managed one walleye and several nice jumbo perch.  As the day progressed, we moved around the lake and found several areas holding fish but all of them being much smaller.  We fished into the night with only a couple more fish added to the creel.  TIP  The majority of the fish (and all of the bigger ones) were caught on the Hippy's Bleeder Chain Jigging Spoon -- new to the market!  (Visit my Sponsors page for more information.)

December 31  - Strawberry Reservoir, Utah

It was a beautiful day for ice fishing at Strawberry Reservoir and a great way to begin the new year!  I caught several nice cutthroat and one rainbow who's destiny was to become a delicious New Year's Eve main course.  Before heading home, I had lunch at Chick's Cafe in Heber City which rounded out a perfect morning of winter ice fishing.  TIP  When fishing for trout at Strawberry, don't overlook using bait scents.  I use shrimp oil which seems to make all the difference between an average day of fishing and a great day.

December 29  - Strawberry Reservoir, Utah

Fished the morning bite with Todd Hall and Paul Sahura.  We caught several nice cutthroat and rainbow but, unfortunately, they were all within the slot.  TIP  Trout at Strawberry are very light biters so the use of a spring bobber is vital.  The spring bobber allows you to see the lightest of bites without the fish feeling pressure from the rod.

Willard Bay State Park, Utah

Fished for walleye with Roger Schaffer three times this past spring of 2009.  As the water warmed, the action really picked up but we managed to catch some nice fish on every trip anyway.  Roger is a master troller with spinners and crawlers so this is how we picked up most of the fish.  We trolled .8 to 1.5 mph and used Smile Blades as well as gold #5 Colorado spinners.  Most of the walleye in Willard Bay this season are running a consistent 21-inches so they are a lot of fun to catch when you get into them.  TIP  Willard Bay has very little structure so when you do find some change in contour, stop and fish it thoroughly.  Three great areas to fish are the humps north of the south boat ramp, the light pole area, and the farm on the southeast end.

January 24, 2009 - Strawberry Reservoir, Utah    VIDEO CMF Ice Fishing Strawberry Reservoir

John Mendoza, Jeff Scehnet and I ice-fished Strawberry Reservoir early in 2009.  We caught some awesome cutthroat trout with the largest fish being just over 22-inches.  It was a great time fishing with friends and I'm sure Jeff and John will join me again in the future.  TIP  The key to catching the big fish is to cover the hook with a wax worm and smother the bait with shrimp oil.